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Democratic Governors Stand Up for Children

Governors clashed with the White House on Monday over the future of the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, an issue that some members of both parties said was as important as money for the Iraq war. In the session at the White House, when President Bush reported on progress of the war, governors pressed him to provide more money so they could guarantee health insurance for children. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell framed the issue as a choice, asking: “Should we be giving tax cuts to billionaires and millionaires or should we be giving health care to children?” Read more

NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Governors Face Realities of Globalization. The only way to thrive amid globalization is to change, and states are due for a sweeping transformation of education, worker training and economic development, governors agreed after days of discussions at the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association. “The plain fact of the matter is the world has changed,” said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who sought to convince her fellow state leaders that globalization is their problem. “We must have a sense of urgency as governors. ... What we’re doing now does not suffice.” Read more

ENERGY NEWS

CO – Ritter Takes Renewable Energy Campaign to Washington. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter took his push to develop renewable energy to Washington in meetings Monday with fellow governors. Visiting the nation’s capital for the National Governors Association winter meeting and other conferences, Ritter laid out his plan for developing wind, solar and biofuels in a speech to a group promoting clean energy. He also hoped to talk with other governors about how states can use less oil. Read more

MA – Patrick Promotes Clean Energy Business. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick reaffirmed his support for Cape Wind energy project, saying he wants to create jobs in the Bay State by encouraging growth of the clean-energy industry. Patrick said the turbine farm planned for Nantucket Sound is “a symbol of the kind of economy” that he wants to cultivate in Massachusetts. The governor said he wants to attract the entire renewable energy industry to the state, including companies that would design and manufacture wind turbines, hybrid cars, and solar panels, in addition to establishing conservation consulting firms. Read more

GENERAL NEWS

KS – Sebelius Focusing on 2007. Democratic presidential candidates hoping to get an endorsement from Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will have to wait until next year. Sebelius said Monday she won’t back anyone until 2008 at the earliest because she is focused on helping her party elect governors this year in Louisiana, Mississippi and Kentucky. “I think it’s appropriate that my political focus remain on those three governor’s races,” Sebelius said. Read more

LA – Blanco Backs Funding for Roads. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco told the Louisiana Police Jury Association she wants to spend at least $400 million on roads. Blanco referred to a national report that said the Louisiana roads were at the bottom of one of national lists. Blanco also said her plan would be spread out in all parishes and she wants the upcoming legislature to appropriate a minimum of $200 million dollars for coastal erosion improvements. Read more

MI – Granholm Encourages Home Ownership, College Education. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced a program to help college graduates buy their first homes as part of an effort to attract young, educated people to eight of the state’s largest cities. Reduced- or fixed-rate conventional loans are available to college graduates who meet certain eligibility guidelines set by the state. Borrowers must have received an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited school within three years of applying for a loan. “Creating vibrant cities is a key part of my comprehensive economic plan,” said Granholm. “In addition to encouraging young people to stay in the state, the program will help stimulate the economy, revitalize communities and attract businesses to these areas.” Read more

OH – Editorial: Strickland Has the Right Plan for Economic Development. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland already has emphasized that economic development is his administration’s primary goal. He also has said that economic development needs to be the chief consideration in deciding what highway projects to fund. The governor is right—and is to be encouraged to persist in his philosophy. Ohio’s first priority should be economic development. Highway and bridge projects that help to bring new businesses to Ohio and make it easier for existing ones to compete are good for everyone in the state. By creating new jobs and retaining existing ones, they help Buckeye State residents directly—and they increase the tax base for both state and local governments. Read more

PA – Rendell Brings Business, Jobs to Pennsylvania. Gov. Edward Rendell announced that PepsiCo will locate a new distribution center in Luzerne County, Pa., bringing with it at least 93 new jobs within three years. The $37.25 million expansion project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, which is comprised of economic development professionals who report directly to Gov. Rendell and serve as a single point-of-contact for businesses looking to locate or expand in Pennsylvania. The team works with domestic and international businesses and professional site consultants on projects possessing significant investment and job creation opportunities. Read more

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